Books by Marcus Tullius Cicero

An engaging new translation of a timeless masterpiece about coping with the death of a loved oneIn 45 BCE, the Roman statesman Cicero fell to pieces when his beloved daughter, Tullia, died from complications of childbirth. But from the depths of despair, Cicero fought his way back. In an effort to cope with his loss, he wrote a consolation speech-not for others, as had always been done, but for himself. And it worked. Cicero's Consolation was something new in literature, equal parts philosophy and motivational speech. Drawing on the full range of Greek philosophy and Roman history, Cicero convinced himself that death and loss are part of life, and that if others have survived them, we can, too; resilience, endurance, and fortitude are the way forward.Lost in antiquity, Cicero's Consolation was recreated in the Renaissance from hints in Cicero's other writings and the Greek and Latin consolatory tradition. The resulting masterpiece-translated here for the first time in 250 years-is infused throughout with Cicero's thought and spirit.Complete with the original Latin on facing pages and an inviting introduction, Michael Fontaine's engaging translation makes this searching exploration of grief available to readers once again.

Frontmatter -- EINLEITUNG -- ASCONIVS -- SCHOLIA BOBIENSIA -- Backmatter

Den romerske politiker og filosof Cicero lader Cato den Ældre diskutere fire negative påstande om alderdommen: Den første er den, at den gør en uskikket til forretninger; den anden den, at den gør legemet svagere. Hertil kommer så for det tredje, at den berøver en næsten alle nydelser; og for det fjerde, at den ikke er langt borte fra døden. Heroverfor stilles alderdommens velsignelser. Det lange liv er en mulighed for endelig at realisere sig selv, og døden ikke bør frygtes! "Enten skal man betragte den med fuldkommen ligegyldighed, nemlig hvis den helt udslukker sjælens bevidsthed; eller man må endogså ønske sig den, nemlig hvis den fører sjælen et eller andet sted hen, hvor den vil vedblive at leve evigt; og noget som helst tredje kan visselig ikke findes."

This work contains two of Cicero's most important political writings, "The Republic" and "The Laws". In "The Republic", or "On the Commonwealth", Cicero crafts a Socratic dialogue in six books on the subject of Roman politics. Cicero discusses the history of Roman politics and its constitution, the role of justice in government, the types of constitutions, the role of education, and the ideal citizen in a republic. In "The Laws" we find another Socratic dialogue which discusses the laws and in which Cicero expounds on his theories of natural law and of harmony among the classes. Despite coming down to us in an incomplete state, these books will enlighten the modern reader as to the foundation of Cicero's political philosophy and give insight into some of the early democratic ideals which form the foundation of western political thought. Presented here are the extant versions of these important political works in translation by C. D. Yonge. This edition is printed on premium acid-free paper.